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The next exhibition in PCA&D's Main Gallery, Selected Artworks from the BFA Program at PCA&D, features a selection of outstanding artwork created by two dozen of our rising junior and senior BFA students. A wide variety of media are represented including digital and hand-painted illustration, sculpture, painting, printmaking, photography and graphic design.

This is the first in a series of posts in a series where PCA&D students talk about their art, inspirations and influences, and thoughts about their education. Today Samantha Hunsicker, Justin Carney, Courtney Scheingraber, and Olivia DiFilippo talk about what they value from their PCA&D experience and their earliest recollections of making art.

What do you value most about your PCA&D experience this past year?

Samantha Hunsicker, Fine Art, Class of 2017

Definitely the friendships I made. The junior fine art class is a pretty close-knit family especially this year. We supported each other through the tough times of these past few years and encouraged each other to keep doing the thing that we all love.

Justin Carney, Photography, Class of 2018

I value the ideas that have been shared with me, the assignments I got to do, the teachers who voiced their critiques and opinions, the art I got to see and experience. I value it all.

Courtney Scheingraber, Illustration, Class of 2017

This past year has helped me value the relationships I have with the PCAD community. I'm in a pretty small illustration class, which has made it easier to communicate and effectively collaborate as well as critique. With this communication we have been able to bounce ideas off of each other, we've grow closer as companions, and we've grown a great deal together as artists; while we are competing our class is very much a strong team. What's even better is we bring out the best in each other artistically. In addition, working with the illustration faculty has been wonderful; we have an incredible group of artists leading the department, and they're always there when they're needed. They've provided great feedback artistically; outside of discussing art they are very personable, but remain very professional. What's great is with these relationships we all get to share our own stories, while simultaneously adding on new chapters in our lives.

Olivia DiFilippo, Fine Art, Class of 2017

The thing I valued most about this year was seeing how much progress myself and all of my peers have made. It makes me so happy to be friends with such talented people and they are all constantly inspiring me to do better.

When or how did you begin making art, and what does the process of making art mean to you?

Samantha Hunsicker, Fine Art, Class of 2017

I was always making art since I was a small child, I even did an art sale right outside my house once. I made $1.50 from the two pieces that I sold. But for some reason it didn't become my passion until sixth grade when I found out about Anime. I wanted to be a Manga-ka up until I found Printmaking my junior year of high school. I'm now here making fine art again. It's funny how the world can cycle like that. As for the process of making art, I feel that it becomes more important to me than the finished piece itself. The finished piece is just the combination of the idea, the emotion, and the hard work I put into it.

Justin Carney, Photography, Class of 2018

I don't remember exactly when, but it was when I was very small. I had watched my brother draw and paint, and I wanted to be just like him so I began doing the same. I copied his art style, and as I continued I developed my own style and interests. The process of making art...is the very fabric of life to me. Art is life itself, it's something I would never be able to live without. It's something none of us would be able to live without, I believe.

Courtney Scheingraber, Illustration, Class of 2017

I've been making art as long as I can remember. I truly enjoy the process of creating a piece from start to finish; to me this means that in a world of destruction, unrest, and so much unhappiness there is something out there that is not only unique, but beautiful. It's very much like bringing more life back into our civilization.

Olivia DiFilippo, Fine Art, Class of 2017

I started seriously making art in high school but I've been making things for as long as I can remember. Art making isn't just something I do for fun or to make a living. It's a way of living and I can't imagine what my life would be like if I didn't make art.

“Selected Artworks from the BFA program at PCA&D”will be on exhibit in the Main Gallery at Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, 204 N Prince Street, Lancaster, from June 3 to August 12, 2016. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Opening First Friday Reception, will be held First Friday June 3 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Main Gallery.